Surprising therapy and emotional support animals

 Good News Notes: “Though dogs are the most common therapy animal, plenty of other animals support their owners. Pet Partners told ABC News that, “dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs, rats, miniature pigs, llamas, alpacas, horses, donkeys, and mini-horses” can all be therapy animals. There are important distinctions between therapy animals and emotional support animals. Therapy…

Therapy dogs bring respite to Ukraine war veterans

 Good News Notes: “Ricky, a larger than life golden retriever, wags his tail as he nestles his head on Vasyl’s lap. But still, the war veteran looks tense. Then the dog throws his front paws onto the shoulders of the 47-year-old suffering from post-war trauma, and a smile forms across his face. “This is probably…

FDA Expands Access to Ecstasy Drug for PTSD Therapy

Good News Notes: “Iraq War veteran Jonathan Lubecky was deployed to Balad Air Base in 2006, where mortar attacks became part of daily life. During one enemy strike, Lubecky was knocked unconscious, suffering a  traumatic brain injury. His overall combat experience resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder. After leaving the Army in 2009, he tried many treatments,…

Therapy Dogs Help Those on the Mend at Hampton VA Medical Center

Good News Notes: “‘On the weekends, things are quiet,’ said Brown, a 36-year-old Army veteran. ‘For myself, I don’t deal with silence too well. Depression kicks in. Anxiety.’ Enter rottweilers CoHo and Bella, who make weekend visits to the hospital’s domiciliary, where Brown and others are temporarily staying. These trained therapists boost sagging spirits with…

Two Rescue Dogs Change Lives of Grateful Vietnam Veterans

Good News Notes: “Two Vietnam War veterans are having an extra special Christmas after being paired with two service dogs to help them cope with PTSD and day-to-day life. Larry Keating was 19 when he served in the army in Vietnam. Bill Thumm was 21. What they saw and experienced has haunted their lives. ‘I…

Family of injured veteran gets shocking Christmas gift: ‘I felt like I was gonna drop dead’

Good News Notes: “‘Overwhelmed.’ ‘Disbelief.’ ‘Surreal.’ That is how U.S. army Specialist Andy Jones and his family felt after receiving their brand new mortgage-free home, designed specifically to accommodate Jones’ medical needs.” “The exclusive holiday Fox Nation special, “A Very Building Homes for Heroes Christmas,” profiles one of the many military families who have been given a new…

The Reunion Story: military veteran is reunited with his lost service dog

Good News Notes: “Morris uses duke as a service animal to help him with his PTSD.” “When Duke went missing from his backyard, Morris reached out to neighbors and local authorities.” “So, Morris made the trip from Corpus Christi all the way to Premont, where duke was anxiously waiting to be rescued.” View the whole…